living on pins and needles

birthdays

Gosh. That was some slump I fell into back in January. Wait, wait, I can explain.

There’s been some baby birthing going on in our family. On January 20th, my beautiful DIL gave birth to twin boys, Miles and Mason. Weighing just 1 lb. 9 oz. and 1 lb. 10 oz., their arrival caused quite a stir. Today, they are six weeks old and each weighs nearly 3.5 lbs. My continued thanks to everyone who has sent good wishes, energy and prayers their way. Both boys are making good, steady progress and are surrounded by a constant, unwavering aura of love.

In addition to adjusting to my new role as Nana, there has been the long commute between my home and that of the NICU where my grandsons reside, 1,000 miles away. I’ve learned how to work remotely, pack smartly for airport security lines, navigate a second metropolitan freeway system, speak NICU-ese, and knit by the glow of ventilator machines as I sit next to the babies’ isolettes.

Through all the upheaval, anxiety, and extreme emotional swings, there has been a constant in my life for whom I have insufficient words to thank. Today is Greatest Husband’s birthday, and it is no exaggeration to say that he is the singular person in my life who, by example, has taught me more about love than any person, book, or work of art and imagination. I am stronger, better, smarter and more generous because of him. This is the anniversary of the day of his birth and that is a worthy event for the universe to celebrate.